The Iron Redskin: The history of the Indian motorcycle

US Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles > History

Indian is a magic name in motorcycling. Its mention brings to mind machines with flamboyant bold striping, lithe of appearance and, seemingly even at rest, poised for flight. Its distinctive trademark was the staccato bark of its high-revving side valve engine. This was joined in later years by the quiet hum of the smooth-running four-cylinder models that could assume a lightning burst of acceleration and an impudent snarl at a touch of the throttle. There were over two dozen makes of motorcycle on the market during the heyday of motorcycling in the United States. Yet in the minds of many enthusiasts, none of these quite approached the verve, style, artistic functionality of design or handling abilities of the Indian. It is a vast work that has taken many thousands of hours to compile, yet it is one of the most readable and interesting motorcycle histories ever to be published. Because the Indian motorcycle was manufactured during some of the most exciting and changing years of America's history, much of that excitement and change comes through, albeit carried on the saddle of a motorcycle. It is pure motorcycling history told with the grace and pace of a classic V-twin, Indian-style!